DISTREE Events has launched a new Global Buyer Programme (GBP) for its flagship hosted buyer tech and consumer electronics (CE) channel event. For the first time, a selection of VIP distributors, retailers and e-tailers from Asia and the Americas will be invited to next year’s DISTREE Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) (www.distree-emea.com), which takes place in Monaco from February 19-22nd 2019.

Stuart Wilson, Event Director at DISTREE Events, said: “The launch of the Global Buyer Programme is based on feedback from exhibitors and leading channel partners around the world. DISTREE EMEA already gathers together top channel partners from 50-plus countries within EMEA. The addition of top distributors and retailers from Asia and the Americas will add extra value and the chance for exhibitors to explore new channel business opportunities in these regions.”

DISTREE Events’ global recruitment team has identified VIP distributors and retailers in both Asia and America that will receive hosted buyer invites to next year’s event in Monaco. Specific audience quotas have been allocated for each region, with an emphasis on channel partners that provide access to key national markets. Partners that have a track record of successfully onboarding new vendors to their portfolio and assisting with regional channel development have been prioritised.

Wilson added: “New e-commerce models and online marketplaces have made it more important than ever for vendors to demonstrate a global approach and awareness in terms of channel development. The launch of this new initiative is an important step that establishes DISTREE’s flagship Monaco event as a true global channel gateway for tech and CE brands.”

“The Global Buyer Programme gives exhibitors at next year’s DISTREE event an opportunity to assess key markets within Asia and evaluate the regional channel potential for their products and solutions. This includes meeting distributors that offer channel reach into multiple countries from regional distribution hubs based in locations such as Singapore,” Wilson added.

DISTREE’s unique event format allows exhibitors to pre-schedule one-on-one meetings with a high quality audience of influential channel partners. In the Americas, the Global Buyer Programme will target top channel partners operating across key markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and USA.

The Brazilian technical consumer goods (TCG) market increased by 1.4% in Q1 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, valuing the market at US$6.6 billion in the first quarter, according to the latest GfK TEMAX report, highlighting the value of just one of the new markets covered by the programme. Distributors based out of Miami, USA, offering channel reach across Central and Latin America are also included on the VIP list selected by DISTREE’s recruitment team.

“DISTREE has helped hundreds of brands establish international channels around the world. The new Global Buyer Programme recognises the fact that new and emerging brands have to move quickly and efficiently to build global channels and scale their business,” explained Wilson.

“For exhibitors, the strength of DISTREE is the quality and relevance of the channel buyers that attend, coupled with their desire to take on new brands and add to their portfolio. For distributors and retailers from Asia and the Americas, participation in the Global Buyer Programme gives them an early opportunity to identify the brands of the future first, and build meaningful channel relationships,” Wilson added.

The number of hosted buyer invites available as part of the Global Buyer Programme for DISTREE EMEA 2019 is limited. Distributors and retailers from Asia and the Americas that have not received an invite and wish to request a hosted buyer invite, have the option to apply through the DISTREE EMEA website at www.distree-emea.com